TE Owen Daniels out 4-8 weeks with broken fibula

With Pro Bowl tight end Owen Daniels suffering a fractured fibula that could keep him out at least a month, Garrett Graham will be elevated into the starting role against St. Louis on Sunday.

Graham, a three-year veteran, is tied with Daniels for the team lead with three touchdowns.

Rookie Ryan Griffin, a promising sixth-round draft choice, will be promoted into Graham’s role as the backup. That means he’ll get a lot of playing time because coach Gary Kubiak likes to utilize formations with multiple tight ends.

Graham has 15 catches for 141 yards during the Texans’ 2-3 start. Griffin doesn’t have a reception.

Daniels, playing in his eighth season, is going to miss multiple games for the first time since the 2010 season.

Daniels might be placed on injured reserve with the designation to return. Depending on his rehabilitation, Daniels could return as early as a month. Fractures in the fibula sometimes can heal in two or three weeks, but depending on what position a player plays, some have to wait longer to return.

Because Daniels is a receiver and blocker who has to run routes all over the field, he could return as soon as four weeks or as late as eight.

If Daniels returns in four weeks, he could miss only three games.

After hosting St. Louis, the Texans play at Kansas City before their open date. They return to entertain Indianapolis (Nov. 3) before traveling to Arizona (Nov. 10).

Daniels has been quarterback Matt Schaub’s second-favorite receiver to Andre Johnson for the last seven years. He’s coming off his second Pro Bowl season and has 24 catches for 252 yards. His three touchdown catches ties him for the team lead with Graham.